Protective end for furniture leg

ABSTRACT

A protective end for a furniture leg is disclosed. The protective end includes a substantially spherical element comprised of an elastomer and having a hollow interior. The protective end further includes an orifice in the spherical element for accepting insertion of a furniture leg. The protective end further includes a raised ring disposed along an inside surface of the spherical element comprised, wherein the raised ring prevents traveling of the furniture leg within the spherical element. In one alternative, the protective end further includes a smooth layer disposed on an outer surface of the spherical element and an adhesive layer for securing the smooth layer to the outer surface of the spherical element. In another alternative, the elastomer comprises rubber, the smooth layer comprises felt and the orifice comprises a slit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to furniture and other articles used in a home or room, and more particularly to protective ends for furniture legs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Protective furniture feet, or protective ends, provide protection from damage to floors and furniture legs and reduce noise caused by shuffling or sliding of furniture. Protective ends can protect a fragile floor, such as hard wood or carpet, from damage caused by hard and inflexible furniture feet. Furniture feet themselves can also be protected from rugged floors by protective ends. Various types of protective ends abound, from felt pads adhered to the bottom of furniture legs, to plastic caps that cover the end of the furniture leg. Most solutions, however, can be expensive and only fit a single or limited size of furniture leg.

A common approach in classrooms and child care facilities is to use old tennis balls as furniture feet. Slits or orifices are made in the surface of the hollow tennis ball and the end of a furniture leg is inserted into the orifice. This allows furniture, such as chairs and desks, to be slid smoothly across a floor without causing much noise or damage to the floor or furniture leg. Although effective for providing some protection and reducing noise, this approach has its drawbacks. First, the solution involves tennis balls which come in a limited range of colors and sizes. Second, tennis balls typically include an outer surface made of a particular type of felt, which exhibits coarse qualities such that a tennis racquet can better grip the ball when contacting it. The coarse nature of the felt is contrary to the purpose of allowing smooth sliding of furniture across a floor. Third, the inside of a tennis ball is uniformly smooth and round, which allows the end of a furniture leg to travel unobstructed within the interior surface of the tennis ball. Thus, when the furniture is pushed or slid across the floor, the tennis ball may rotate around the furniture leg end and eventually completely rotate off. This is detrimental as it could result in uneven furniture legs, lost tennis balls and damaged floors.

Therefore, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art as discussed above, and particularly for a more efficient and secure protective end for furniture legs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a protective end for a furniture leg is disclosed. The protective end includes a substantially spherical element comprised of an elastomer and having a hollow interior and an orifice in the spherical element for accepting insertion of a furniture leg. The protective end further includes a raised ring disposed along an inside surface of the spherical element comprised, wherein the raised ring prevents traveling of the furniture leg within the spherical element. In one alternative, the protective end further includes a smooth layer disposed on an outer surface of the spherical element and an adhesive layer for securing the smooth layer to the outer surface of the spherical element. In another alternative, the elastomer comprises rubber, the smooth layer comprises felt and the orifice comprises a slit.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a protective end for a furniture leg is disclosed. The protective end includes a substantially spherical element comprising a first hemisphere having a first radius coupled with a second hemisphere having a second radius greater than the first. The protective end further includes an orifice in the first hemisphere for accepting insertion of a furniture leg. The protective end further includes a raised edge disposed along an inside surface of the spherical element comprised of a junction between the first and second hemispheres, wherein the raised edge prevents traveling of the furniture leg within the spherical element. In one alternative, the spherical element is hollow and is comprised of an elastomer, the smooth layer comprises felt and the orifice comprises a slit.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a protective end for a furniture leg is disclosed. The protective end includes a substantially spherical element comprised of an elastomer and having a hollow interior. The protective end further includes a smooth layer disposed on an outer surface of the spherical element and an orifice in the spherical element for accepting insertion of a furniture leg. The protective end further includes a raised ring disposed along an inside surface of the spherical element, wherein the raised edge prevents traveling of the furniture leg within the spherical element. In one alternative, the spherical element is comprised of an elastomer, the smooth layer comprises felt and the orifice comprises a slit.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features and also the advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Additionally, the left-most digit of a reference number identifies the drawing in which the reference number first appears.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a frontal view of a protective end for a furniture leg, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a perspective view of the protective end shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a cross-sectional frontal view of the protective end shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a cross-sectional frontal view of the protective end shown in FIG. 1, including a furniture leg inserted into the protective end.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a cross-sectional frontal view of the protective end shown in FIG. 1, including a furniture leg inserted into the protective end at a wide angle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides an inexpensive protective end that fits securely on a furniture leg. The protective end includes a substantially spherical element comprised of an elastomer, such as rubber, and having a hollow interior and an orifice in the spherical element for accepting insertion of a furniture leg. The protective end further includes a feature disposed along an inside surface of the spherical element, wherein the feature prevents traveling of the furniture leg within the spherical element. In one alternative, the feature that prevents travel of the furniture leg may comprise a corner or edge disposed along an inside surface of the spherical element. In another alternative, the feature that prevents travel of the furniture leg may comprise a raised ring disposed along an inside surface of the spherical element.

The features of the present invention are advantageous as they prevent or restrict traveling of the furniture leg within the spherical element. This is beneficial as it secures the protective end on the furniture leg, even when the furniture leg is being pushed or slid across the floor and causes rotation of the protective end. The present invention also allows for the protective end to be rotated at a wide angle while continuing to secure the protective end on the furniture leg. This is advantageous as it allows users of the furniture continued unfettered use of the furniture without worrying that a protective end will be rotated or pushed off of the furniture leg.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a frontal view of a protective end 100 for a furniture leg, according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a hollow, substantially spherical shaped protective end 100 resembling a tennis ball and substantially composed of an elastomer. The protective end 100 comprises a top portion 102 having a spherical shape and an orifice 104 shaped like a slit. The orifice 104 allows a furniture leg to be inserted into the orifice 104 so that the tip of the furniture leg can contact an inside surface of the protective end 100.

FIG. 1 also shows a middle portion 108 of the protective end 100 that adjoins to the top portion 102 at juncture 106, which encircles the protective end 100. Note that there is a substantially obtuse angle at the juncture 106 of the interior and exterior surfaces of top portion 102 and middle portion 108. Further shown is a bottom portion 112 having a spherical shape and adjoining to the middle portion 108 at juncture 110, which encircles the protective end 100 at about the equator of the sphere of the protective end 100. Note that there is a substantially obtuse angle at the juncture 110 of the interior and exterior surfaces of middle portion 108 and bottom portion 112.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the protective end 100 further includes a smoother outer layer 120 disposed over the protective end 100. The outer layer 120 may be a smoother fabric such as felt or wool. Also, protective end 100 may further comprise an adhesive layer (not shown) that secures the outer layer 120 to the protective end 100. FIG. 1 also shows a border or depression 122 that etches a path around both sides of the protective end 100. In one embodiment of the present invention, the border or depression 122 comprises a rubber material that interrupts or divides the outer layer 120 into separate sections. In another embodiment of the present invention, the border or depression 122 etches a path on the surface of the protective end 100 resembling a path etched into a standard tennis ball.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a perspective view of the protective end 100 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 shows the spherical nature of top portion 102, the sloping nature of middle portion 108 and the spherical nature of bottom portion 112. Further shown in FIG. 2 is the slit shape of the orifice 104 for accepting the insertion of a furniture leg.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the protective end 100 is manufactured from an elastomer, comprising any of various elastic substances resembling rubber. For example, the protective end 100 can be manufactured from a polyvinyl elastomer or from synthetic or natural rubber. In another embodiment of the present invention, the protective end 100 is manufactured using a rubber molding process. Rubber molding is a molding process that produces a useable rubber product. Rubber products are made from uncured rubber or elastomers. An elastomer is any material with sufficient resilience or memory for returning to its original shape in response to pressure or distortions. Some commonly used examples include hypalon, viton, latex rubber, silicone rubber, nitrile and neoprene. Rubber and elastomers can be derived from natural sources, although they are mostly synthetic, produced through highly controlled chemical processes.

While there are variations in specific methods, rubber manufacturing uses heat and pressure to form molded rubber products. The three most common methods in the rubber molding process are injection molding, compression molding and transfer molding. Each of these is different, but they all involve pouring liquid rubber material into a mold where it is cured in an oven and cooled, thus creating the finished product. Some examples of molded rubber parts include rubber grommets, tubes, shock mounts, stoppers, hoses, bumpers, washers, gasket and seals. Foam rubber goods are also significant due to their many applications.

Various other types of rubber molding exist. Blow molding is a less-common process of placing a hollow tube between the two halves of a blow mold. The blow mold then closes, pinching off the bottom half of the tube, and air is injected into the top, forcing the material outwards to the walls of the blow mold. Compression molding is a process that compresses the rubber material in a mold under heat and pressure to achieve the desired shape. Injection molding involves melting rubber in an injection unit and then injecting it into the mold where it stays until after cooling when the finished product is ready. Transfer molding involves building a “piston and cylinder”-like device in the mold and squirting the rubber into it through small holes. The mold is then closed and under hydraulic pressure the rubber or plastic is forced through a small hole into the cavity where it cures.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a cross-sectional frontal view of the protective end 100 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows the protective end 100 including a smoother outer layer 120, such as felt or wool, disposed over the spherical elastomer-constructed portion of the protective end 100. In one embodiment of the present invention, protective end 100 may further comprise an adhesive layer (not shown) that secures the outer layer 120 to the spherical portion of the protective end 100. FIG. 3 also shows the orifice 104 and an inside surface 302 of the protective end 100.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a cross-sectional frontal view of the protective end 100 shown in FIG. 1, including a furniture leg 402 inserted into the protective end 100. FIG. 4 shows that one end 404 of the furniture leg 402 has been inserted into the orifice 104 of the protective end 100 such that the end 404 contacts the inside surface 302 of the protective end 100. FIG. 4 shows that when the furniture leg 402 is inserted into the orifice 104, two flaps 406 and 408 on either side of the orifice 104 bulge out or are caused to be raised. The elastomeric nature of the composition of surface 302 enables the flaps 406, 408 to squeeze against the sides of the furniture leg 402 and secure it in place within the protective end 100.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a cross-sectional frontal view of the protective end 100 shown in FIG. 1, including a furniture leg 402 inserted into the protective end 100 at a wide angle. FIG. 4 shows the insertion into the orifice 104 of the end 404 of the furniture leg 402 such that the end 404 contacts the inside surface 302 of the protective end 100. FIG. 4 further shows that when the furniture leg 402 is inserted into the orifice 104 at such a wide angle, the flap 406 on the left side of the orifice 104 bulges out or is caused to be raised, however flap 408 on the right side of the orifice 104 is collapsed or is caused to be inverted into the interior of protective end 100.

FIG. 5 also shows the presence of a corner or angled gutter at the junction 110 comprising the junction of the middle portion 108 and the lower portion 112. Specifically, the interior surface 504 of the lower portion 112 contacts the interior surface 502 of the middle portion 108 at an obtuse angle. This creates a corner or gutter that functions to restrict travel of the furniture leg 402 within the interior 302 of the protective end 100. The figure shows that as the protective end 100 rotates or twists (which may occur when the furniture piece is pushed or slid across the floor), the bottom end 404 of the leg 402 travels unobstructed across the interior surface 302 of the protective end 100. Thus, movement of the furniture piece may cause the position of the protective end 100 to move relative to the furniture leg 402, though the end 100 remains securely on the furniture leg 402. Namely, the protective end 100 may rotate and the bottom end 404 slides across the interior surface 302.

The obtuse-angled corner created by the surface 504 and surface 502 serves to arrest the sliding or traveling of the end 404 of the furniture leg 402 along the interior surface 302, as one corner of the end 404 becomes entrenched in the gutter. That is, one corner of the end 404 of the furniture leg 402 may become embedded or implanted in the corner created by the surface 504 and surface 502. Thus, as the end 404 slides along the surface 302, it eventually reaches the obstacle created by surfaces 504, 502 and continued travel of the end 404 is restricted or stopped. As shown in FIG. 1, the junction 110 runs substantially along a horizontal equator of the protective end 100 and therefore the corner created by surfaces 504, 502 also runs along the entire circumference of the protective end 100.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the corner created by surfaces 504, 502 is not obtuse but rather a right angle, thereby similarly restricting travel of the end 404. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the obstacle within the protective end 100 that functions to restrict travel of the furniture leg 402 within the interior 302 comprises a raised ring. The raised ring may be composed by the same material as the surface 302 and may run substantially along a horizontal equator of the protective end 100. The raised ring would provide a protruding member that would arrest or restrict travel of the end 404 along surface 302. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the obstacle within the protective end 100 that functions to restrict travel of the furniture leg 402 within the interior 302 comprises a raised edge. The raised edge would comprise the junction of two surfaces that, similar to the junction of surfaces 504, 502, would create an obstacle to the smooth surface of 302 as the end 404 slides across it.

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, those having ordinary skill in the art will understand that changes can be made to the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is not to be restricted, therefore, to the specific embodiments. Furthermore, it is intended that the appended claims cover any and all such applications, modifications, and embodiments within the scope of the present invention. 

1. A protective end for a furniture leg, comprising: a substantially spherical element comprised of an elastomer and having a hollow interior; an orifice in the spherical element for accepting insertion of a furniture leg; and a raised ring disposed along an inside surface of the spherical element comprised, wherein the raised ring prevents traveling of the furniture leg within the spherical element.
 2. The protective end of claim 1, wherein the elastomer comprises rubber.
 3. The protective end of claim 2, further comprising a smooth layer disposed on an outer surface of the spherical element.
 4. The protective end of claim 3, further comprising an adhesive layer for securing the smooth layer to the outer surface of the spherical element.
 5. The protective end of claim 3, wherein the smooth layer comprises felt.
 6. The protective end of claim 2, wherein the orifice comprises a slit.
 7. The protective end of claim 2, wherein the spherical element comprises a tennis ball.
 8. A protective end for a furniture leg, comprising: a substantially spherical element comprising a first hemisphere having a first radius coupled with a second hemisphere having a second radius greater than the first; an orifice in the first hemisphere for accepting insertion of a furniture leg; and a raised edge disposed along an inside surface of the spherical element comprised of a junction between the first and second hemispheres, wherein the raised edge prevents traveling of the furniture leg within the spherical element.
 9. The protective end of claim 8, wherein the spherical element is hollow and is comprised of an elastomer.
 10. The protective end of claim 9, wherein the elastomer comprises rubber.
 11. The protective end of claim 9, further comprising a smooth layer disposed on an outer surface of the spherical element.
 12. The protective end of claim 11, wherein the smooth layer comprises felt.
 13. The protective end of claim 9, wherein the orifice comprises a slit.
 14. The protective end of claim 9, wherein the raised edge comprises substantially a right angle between the first and second hemispheres.
 15. A protective end for a furniture leg, comprising: a substantially spherical element comprised of an elastomer and having a hollow interior; a smooth layer disposed on an outer surface of the spherical element; an orifice in the spherical element for accepting insertion of a furniture leg; and a raised ring disposed along an inside surface of the spherical element, wherein the raised edge prevents traveling of the furniture leg within the spherical element.
 16. The protective end of claim 15, wherein the elastomer comprises rubber.
 17. The protective end of claim 15, wherein the smooth layer comprises felt.
 18. The protective end of claim 15, wherein the orifice comprises a slit extending through the spherical element and the smooth layer.
 19. The protective end of claim 15, wherein raised ring is positioned substantially at an equator of the spherical element.
 20. The protective end of claim 15, wherein the spherical element substantially comprises a tennis ball. 